Uttaranchal Tourism : Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra - Guide to Uttranchal, Garhwal, Kumaon hills and Himalayas Hotel Directory and Travel Guide of Dehradun, Mussorie, Nainital, Auli, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamnotri

Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra
	The Legend of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat is an important event from the sprituo- cultural point of view as the shrine of Nanda Devi are scattered all over the central Himalayas. The Devi is considered as the Isht-Devi, by the hill folk. The royal family of Garhwal & Kumaon conducts the Nanda Devi Raj Jat to please the Isht-Devi , in order to seek blessing for a prosperous kingdom and the defeat of their enemies . Here relationship with the people is just the same as that of Seeta with Mithila,Similarly Gaura is known to be the daughter of Uttaranchal.Daughter of king of mountains , Himavat, Gaura was married to the ash-smeared, leapord skin wearing Yogi . It is popularly believed that according to the Indian calender, during the Krishna-Paksha of Bhado (second week of August).The Devi visits her mother's place and the event is celebrated with the performance of special rituals and the prayers on Nanda Ashtami in the numerous Nanda Devi temple spread all over the Garhwal and the Kumaon Mandal.

Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra

The Legend of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat is an important event from the sprituo- cultural point of view as the shrine of Nanda Devi are scattered all over the central Himalayas. The Devi is considered as the Isht-Devi, by the hill folk. The royal family of Garhwal & Kumaon conducts the Nanda Devi Raj Jat to please the Isht-Devi , in order to seek blessing for a prosperous kingdom and the defeat of their enemies . Here relationship with the people is just the same as that of Seeta with Mithila,Similarly Gaura is known to be the daughter of Uttaranchal.Daughter of king of mountains , Himavat, Gaura was married to the ash-smeared, leapord skin wearing Yogi . It is popularly believed that according to the Indian calender, during the Krishna-Paksha of Bhado (second week of August).The Devi visits her mother's place and the event is celebrated with the performance of special rituals and the prayers on Nanda Ashtami in the numerous Nanda Devi temple spread all over the Garhwal and the Kumaon Mandal.

This 18 day long Yatra spreads the fragrance of custums and tradition of the Garhwal-Kumaon region.

The Royal Journey
	The event marks the coming of Nanda Devi to her mother's place(mait).During this time Uttaranchal reverberates with festivities The event finishes when the people of her maiti(mother's home), escort her in a procession to her Sauras (Husba -nd's home in Kailash). The procession is called Nanda Raj Jat.The entire scene is beautifully protrayed in the folk song and Jagar sung by the women of Uttaranchal. Such Nanda Jat are held in almost all the places in the hills , where there is a Nanda Devi Temples . Every Garhadhipatis in the hills took out Nanda Raj Jat replaces the annual Raj Jat on the route of Hemkund , from the temple of Nanda Devi . The Doli of other Devtas also

known as the "Birs of Nanda Devi", also join the Raj Jat. The Goril Dev of Kumaon and the Lattu Dev of Bandhan are the prominent Devtas .

Places Worth Visiting
	Lohajung Bann Bedini Bugyal Gangotri Cave Kaliyuva Vinayak RoopKund

Route Of The Raj Jat
	Being the Isht-Devi of the kings of Garhwal the Raj Jat initiates at Nauti. The sub-clans , based on the names of the villages , are fixed as the Chhatolis , who on reaching the next village meet the Chhatolis reach the village after covering the pre-set route. These meetings are decided prior to the initiation of the Yatra which are as follows:- Chhatoli of Lord Lattu Of Bagoli Chhatoli of the Raj Jat Chhatoli of Dewan Khandoori Chhatoli of Barhatkoki other chhatoli

The Legend Of Nanda Devi